Kyleon's twin was Sabastian. I was so stupid. The Anderson brothers looked the same. I should have figured it out before the obvious was pointed out. The only difference was in their hair and eye colors. Their transformation form also differed from each other. One had a gold wolf while the other's wolf was white as snowflakes.
Kyleon often bragged about his twin when we were together. No one has ever seen this notorious twin but his parents, and my father's mate, Miranna. She was the one who delivered the twin. So she witnessed the sacrifice Sabastian made for Kyleon. 'Newborns sacrificing themselves for each other', a tale everyone close to the Andersons knew.
A sacrifice that wouldn't have to happen if my mother wasn't such a bitch. Due to jealousy, Deanna cursed the Andersons so they would be barren. However, Caroline Anderson was already pregnant at the time. Hence her pregnancy was not a pleasant one. The birthing process gobbled up more than twenty-four hours, a near-death experience, and it still cost her one of her babies. Kyleon told me his brother was sealed in another dimension where he could survive until they found a way to save him.
Centuries past and every experiment failed. I grew up seeing the struggles Caroline went through, trying to save her children. She died before the dream came through. Killed by Deanna's evil scheme to control her son. Mother thought it would make her more powerful to have the most powerful Alpha in the world by her side. It was also my punishment for falling in love. She caused Kyleon to hate me. It wouldn't be a coincidence Sabastian would be angry with me either. I hated me too. If I was stronger, Mother would never have possessed me and Kyleon wouldn't have suffered because of me.
Now Sabastian was here, maybe not in flesh and blood but spirit. The soul thing could be the reason why he was living. Kyleon would be so happy. I never dreamed that meeting his brother would be like this.
I tossed on the bedding made in the tent. It was hard to sleep with this new information.
Earlier, Sabastian had said his peace and released me. I tried my best not to alert the others when they came to get their meals. The alpha pretended as if he never just bombarded me with a shocking truth. He was better at acting than I ever could be. Angel saw right through me. Lucky enough, she didn't probe.
My sigh filled the tent. The ruffling of leaves was all the noise coming from outside.
No, something else was out there.
I stiffened as footsteps padded nearer to my tent. The anxiety vanished and warmth washed my body. A familiar sensation loosened my muscles when the entrance of my tent opened. Sabastian bent his head to enter. He straightened, zipped up the front, and kicked off his booths.
I didn't even ask why he was here. He couldn't kill me yet so it had to be to talk. There was so much we needed to talk about. He folded his clothes on the chair next to the bedding.
I should have been more irritated with him. The sheer idea of welcoming him in here revolted me. Still, it was useless. I was calmest when he was around. Helpless.
"Angel is fast asleep," he declared, laying next to me on his back. "I sent Leo to sleep. His sleeping pattern is being changed, so it might take him some time to sleep at night instead of during the day."
It was funny how he could speak like we were best of friends. It was often puzzling how he could switch from hate to like so easily.
I observed him.
He was so different from his brother. Kyleon kept to himself. He tried to save everyone. Even those who didn't deserve it. Regardless, he was full of secrets. It was hard to know what he was thinking. He showed people what he thought they wanted to know.
Sabastian was not an open book either but he was less complicated in that department. He spoke what was on his mind whether it hurt the person's feelings or not. He was frank. A refreshing quality from being around pretenders. Sabastian's personality was hard to understand but it was better than his twin's.
The alpha flipped over on me. This time he didn't pin down my arms or legs. Gold eyes pierced into mine.
"I like sleeping with you," he admitted. "You smell nice, and it makes it so much easier to fall asleep with you beside me. But…"
There was always a but.
"When this is all over, my sudden affection for you will not stop me from killing you." His voice was so calm yet dire. "You understand why, don't you?"
I did. All those centuries of pain Kyleon went through because of my weakness. He lost his friends and family because of me. Days and nights spent alone out in a lonely and unforgiving world. I knew the day would come when I had to pay for everything.
I could understand where Sabastian was coming from. If anyone harmed my sister, Brianna they would not live to see her tears. The pain I caused Kyleon warranted revenge.
The thing Sabastian didn't get was I would die for Kyleon. It pained me as much as it did to have Deanna harm the man who had my heart. I was trapped to watch everything. My mother didn't care about anyone but herself. She strived to get her revenge against my father and all those associated with him. This was why I gave up my life, trying to save Kyleon's and my sister. I would do it again if the clock turned back time.
I nodded.
Sabastian brushed stray strands of hair from my face. "Good, girl."
I would not mind dying for Kyleon or to make his brother feel worthwhile. I knew all too well the struggles of feeling helpless. If Sabastian had a speck of hope he could save his brother, then I wouldn't complain. They both deserved to be happy.
However, I just couldn't die until Deanna was dead for sure this time. Then and only then would death be peaceful.
As if the alpha read my mind, he reassured me, "Don't worry, I'm going to take out that witch you call a mother. I'll make sure to inflict as much pain as she caused you."
Kyleon never broke his promises. No doubt, his brother was the same.
The mood shifted with a tilt of Sabastian's body. I spread my legs, giving him more room. My heart throbbed in my ears when he lowered his head. He gave me every opportunity to refuse what was to come. Yet, I wanted the opposite.
So Sabastian wasn't Kyleon. It still would be nice just to let go for only a second. Tomorrow we could go back to the threats and save this world's Goddess.
My eyes drifted closed. I waited but nothing happened. My eyelids parted to catch Sabastian staring at me.
A corner of his mouth curled up. "You want to kiss me."
My cheeks heated at the teasing in his tone. It evoked a deep sensual chuckle.
He rested his forehead on mine. "You look hot in red. Jones knew what he was doing when he named you Scarlet."
The confidence in his tone made anyone think he was there when Father named me.
"Tell me what you want?" his breath fanned my face.
I licked my lips. "What do you mean?"
"Do you want me to kiss you or would you rather I leave?" he inquired.
It would be nice to get that kiss. One and done. Then again, him leaving sounded nice too.
I wiggled my nose. "Would you leave if I wanted you to?"
I didn't have to see him to know he was smiling.
"No, I wouldn't," he responded with ease.
I figured. Kyleon would but not this twin.
I smiled. "Then if you won't comply with what I want, why did you ask?"
He didn't hesitate to answer. "Because I'm trying the gentleman thing. Leo thinks females like when guys are nice."
Why was he and Leo talking about females and what they wanted? The topic didn't sit well with me.
"Oh," I shifted under him. "Do you want me to view you as a nice guy?"
He laughed. "God, no. Nice guys are pathetic. I was just trying out his theory. You're the only experienced female here for me to ask. Angel won't disagree with anything I do. You are my only hope."
In other words, I was a guinea pig.
"It's nice that you and the bandit are getting along," I clipped. "Next time leave me out of your experiment."
His laughing grew loud. "Redhead, are you upset?"
I fidgeted. "Ugh! Why would I be—"
The rest of my sentence was forgotten when his lips lowered unto mine. He started with slow movements. His lips were soft. Lips of clouds. A slight shiver shook my body. My legs wrapped around him, pulling him closer.
My lips parted and he took advantage of the offer. Heat radiated from his body and sent electrical waves through my veins. My heart drummed against my ribcage, threatening to break out of its prison. He tilted my head and I forgot who I was. A soft mewl escaped.
He pulled away when my body buzzed for more. My eyelids protested in opening. Both the Alpha's eyes and hair glowed, illuminating the tent. A slow smile danced on his reddened lips.
"That was nice," he murmured more to himself than to me. "Better than hers."
What? Who the hell was her?